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The importance of dental health in our overall health is undeniable: The process of digestion begins in the mouth. The protection of our teeth is just as important as protecting any other organ and system in the human body.

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) fully supports an all-natural diet, free from chemical preservatives. Check out how this type of diet can also help to improve our dental health.

What is an “all-natural” diet?

The rationale behind an all-natural eating approach is simple: Consume foods that are not chemically tainted or preserved. Eating foods in their natural state allows us to obtain the proper nourishment and protection that these foods offer. Moreover, the vitamin-absorption properties of natural foods help us get more nutrition without added calories, fat, salt, or sugar.

What is an example of an all-natural diet?

Although an all-natural diet can be customized to the needs of each individual, one example of such type of diet is the vegan, wheat-free lifestyle choice. The purpose of this plan is to find food alternatives that are high in nutrient content and free from allergy-causing chemicals. It can also help our teeth tremendously, while making our bodies healthier.

How does a NON-natural diet affect our teeth?

Eating non-natural or processed food products such as meat, wheat, and processed diary causes a number of problems for our dental health.

First, meat tends to get stuck between our teeth, causing bacteria to grow. Meats are also dosed with sugar for preservation. The bacteria causes acids that produce cavities. Sugar and acid combined are the key agents that lead to tooth decay.

Wheat, processed with bleached and sugar, is made into starchy bread. It sticks to our teeth, causing plaque to build up. Also, the sugar contained in the preservatives cause cavities, especially if we are also indulging in other sugary treats throughout the day.

How does an all-natural diet affect our teeth

Vegans get their protein, calcium, phosphorous and magnesium form a high variety of sources that do not include meat, dairy or processed wheat products. In fact, the food items that vegans consume are proven to have nutritional values that far surpass any other food group. Combining leafy greens, soybean products, and fruits produces a powerful formula to make our teeth stronger and more protected than ever.

Leafy greens

Greens such as spinach, kale, broccoli and arugula contain an army of vitamins A, C, D, and E. Vitamins A and D are known to re-mineralize bones and teeth, making them stronger. Vitamin C is of supreme important for gum health, as it prevents them from weakening and bleeding. Vitamin E is the antioxidant that will protect bad cells from attacking good cells all over your body, including your mouth. This combination is only the beginning. Greens have much more to offer still.

Calcium, Phosphorus, and Magnesium

Leafy greens are a powerful source of calcium, which strengthens our bones and teeth. Phosphorus is a mineral that can be naturally found in teeth and bones as well. Eating leafy greens increases our levels of phosphorus, strengthening the bone mass density. Magnesium is a miracle mineral that not only strengthens bone density like phosphorous, but it also helps with other aspects such as immune system and digestive health.

This is just a fragment of how an all natural diet can help prevent tooth decay…and much more! Try an alternative choice today. This post comes courtesy of Underwood Dental Care. Enjoy food the best way possible: naturally!

We’ve all been told what foods we should not be eating when it comes to our teeth. These foods get hammered into our skulls by our dentists, parents, and articles on the internet. So, what’s the deal? Should you really be giving up foods (and drinks) like apples, popcorn, soda, and coffee? The answer isn’t either yes or no. It all comes down to how you choose to consume these, and many other, types of foods.

Apples

Apples are a weird bunch and lately they’ve taken a lot of scrutiny when it comes to the health of your teeth and that scrutiny is largely inconsistent. Some say their ok, some say they’re damaging. One highly cited reason is their acid level, which is considered moderate. But guess what? Most fruit is acidic and there are plenty of other types of fruit more acidic than apples, such as blueberries and oranges. Plus, think about how many varieties of apples there are. Some are more acidic than others. Another big reason is the dense nature of apples. They take a bit more work than your average fruit to bite into and chew. On that merit, you might want to be careful when biting down on an apple, but should you eat with caution with respect to your teeth? Sure, but don’t give up eating apples just because some online article put it on a watch list. Apples are still nutritious and pretty tasty.

Popcorn

Anyone who has ever eaten popcorn knows why it’s on lists of tooth damaging foods. It doesn’t take long for a husk to become uncomfortably lodged in that place just out of your reach. When that happens, bacteria will feast away and when that happens, plaque develops. You shouldn’t let that stop you from chowing down, however, since in a vast majority of cases, all it takes to dislodge that husk is a quick brushing (and maybe a little flossing). Plus, popcorn is a whole grain and a decent source of fiber. Of course, it’s only really good for you when it’s not swimming in butter and salt.

Soda

If you drink carbonated water straight up, chances are you’re just fine, but if your drink of choice contains any acids, such as citric acid or phosphoric acid (like most do), you’ll want to pay attention. Of course, sugars do compound the issue as well. But should you outright avoid these drinks? No, but they shouldn’t be your primary beverage. In fact, any drink with sugar shouldn’t be a primary beverage, whether it’s soda, juice, or otherwise. Plain old water should be. Given how much sugar is present in drinks, and not just soda, they could almost be considered desserts. I say “almost” because there is still a matter of perception with soda. It’s too heavily marketed as a “primary” beverage and people simply love it too much. Moderation is key.

Coffee

This favorite drink of everyone who has to get up… in the morning… often finds itself on these lists due to its staining power. It’s a serious issue for those of us who enjoy brighter teeth. But can stains lead to other problems? Look at it this way. If your teeth get stained to the point it starts to be a serious concern to you, then yes, there might be other problems going on. You might not be brushing and flossing as well as recommended or you might need to be drinking something else along with coffee. But by itself, no sugar added, coffee tends to play well with your tooth enamel. Load it up with sugar, however, and you might as well be drinking a soda.

So, why shouldn’t you avoid these foods and drinks? If you take care of your teeth, you brush at least twice a day, floss, rinse, and keep up with regular dentist visits, what you choose to eat and drink isn’t a big deal. If your dietary staples are acidic and/or loaded with sugars and there may not be any regularity to your brushing habits, then there might be a problem.

– Harmon Pearson recently began work on a post-graduate degree in Dental Science, with the goal of pursuing a doctorate degree. He also blogs about his experience and writes about dental services. When not studying, he restores antique pendulum clocks.

Your teeth play very many important roles in everyday life and among them are eating and talking. Keeping your teeth healthy is very important as it helps prevent unnecessary suffering. Whenever you experience aches in your teeth, it may be important to visit tooth extraction dentist who will uproot the affected tooth and do dental implants. The reason for this is that the decaying tooth may pass over the infection to others pretty quickly. Even other parts of your teeth may not only be sore, but also aching hence there is need to consult a professional dentist who will help carry out implant procedures.

Types of Tooth Removal Procedures

Your dental professional will carry out a check and figure out if you will need back or front tooth replacement. Back tooth replacement is more challenging because the area is far away and so it cannot be reached with ease. But the challenge with replacing front teeth is the pain which is caused by the many nerves which are available in the area. But generally, dental extractions and replacements are neither harmful nor painful, unlike many people have made it appear.

Bridging is the most ideal option when you want a replacement for one tooth and this procedure can only be successful if the two adjacent teeth are available to support the bride which is to be installed. It entails a metallic joint and requires chipping the lower sections of the adjacent teeth. Most implants are made with metal bridges and the tooth is removable, unlike the bridge which will remain permanently on the gum area.

Types of Bridges

There are two main kinds of bridges: vertical and horizontal. It is the horizontal bridge which requires support from two teeth that lie adjacent to the side of the bridge. On the other hand, a vertical bridge is inserted just within the gum. It’s also possible for your dentist to install the bridge by using a flipper which offers more comfort. In this approach, the flipper gets wrapped around the gum while the teeth just stay in their respective place.

However, the use of crowns has become more common in cosmetic dentistry and has been the preferred option when root canal surgery and partial teeth replacements are necessary. The decayed teeth are replaced with a synthetic product which looks and operates just like an ordinary tooth. Crowns can last for longer and could even be used to chew food without fear of feeling pain.

What to do During the Healing Process

There are certain precautionary measures which you should consider during the healing process. Dentist is able offer you the best advice to help with the healing process. If you don’t follow them, there are chances that you will experience some complications. Any sucking activity such as sipping and smoking must be avoided. Sneezing or blowing balloons and related tasks should also be avoided as this could disturb the healing process. Before you use your teeth for normal activities, it is imperative for you to wait until the socket heals. It’s also prudent that you avoid heavy exercises as they may cause bleeding.

– This post is created by Dana Smith. She is currently associated with Spokane dentist, In this post she is sharing the tips of tooth extraction.

Talking about bruxism, your family dentist will tell you it means the grinding or clenching of teeth, especially during sleep. Kids especially do this at night while for adults; they can do it anytime of the day or night. Over the last few years, there has been a considerable increase in the number of adults who exhibit symptoms of teeth clenching or grinding. This is mainly attributed to the increasing rise in job insecurity. Among the statistics are mostly those who work in the banking and information technology sectors. Also not left out are those who are always on business trips, especially if they work in companies that have huge competition as they are always under pressure.

Symptoms of tooth grinding

A visit to your dentist in will also broaden your knowledge of the symptoms of teeth grinding which includes worn tooth enamel, jaw pains, chipped teeth, ear, cheek and overall facial pains and severe headache. In more severe cases, it could result in loss of teeth and tooth fracture, facial distortions and hearing impediment.

Teeth grinding in kids

There are lots of reasons why kids grind or clench their teeth. It could be due to improper alignment of the upper and lower teeth. It could also be as a means of easing pains, especially those associated with teething. Stress is also known to be a causative agent in teeth grinding in kids. Some kids, when they are stressed about school work or troubles on the home front, they resort to teeth grinding or clenching to ease the stress. Finally, certain medical conditions like cerebral palsy are also known to lead to teeth grinding and clenching in kids.

Treatment for teeth grinding in kids

The major treatment option is regular visits to your family dentist in order to keep the habit in check.

Parental observation is also advised as it helps in minimizing how often the kid engages in the act of teeth grinding.

Use of special night guard from a dentist is also a form of treatment for teeth grinding. It helps in reduction or elimination of the jaw and face sore resulting from incessant teeth grinding.

Relaxation. If the kid takes time to relax prior to bedtime by taking a warm bath, listening to cool music or doing both, there are minimal chances of teeth grinding and clenching taking place.

It would also interest you to know that by the time the child loses his or her baby teeth, the teeth grinding habit would stop.

Treatment for tooth grinding in adults

The number one treatment in this case is eliminating the issues leading to the habit.

The number one treatment in this case is eliminating the issues leading to the habit. This could be stress or chronic sleep disorders. When these issues are taken care of, there are minimal chances of the adult engaging in teeth grinding.

The use of bite guard issued by a dentist is also a treatment option for adults.

Relaxing muscles by applying warm and wet cloth to the side of the face where the clenching or grinding usually takes place.

Minimizing the level of stress by listening to calming music, taking a warm bath and having walks.

In the case of damaged teeth, the use of prosthetic crown becomes an option.

– This post is created by Dana Smith. She is currently working for family dentist Anchorage. In this post, she is sharing the symptoms and treatment of teeth grinding to various age groups.

Tooth whitening has taken the world by storm, but whitening methods have been in use in various forms for hundreds of years. A bright, white smile has long been associated with good health, wealth, status and success and people have tried a number of different methods to get a lighter, whiter smile, but which is best, it it worth shelling out for professional treatment or are traditional methods, such as oil pulling safer and more cost-effective?

What is oil pulling?

Oil pulling, also known as oil swishing, is an ancient natural remedy, which is mentioned in Ayurvedic texts that date back 5,000 years; the belief is that using oil reduces the risk of oral health problems, as well as systemic illnesses, such as diabetes and asthma.

The process of oil pulling is very simple; you simply swish oil around the mouth, moving it from side to side to ensure that the oil reaches all areas of the mouth. Experts recommend swilling for around 15 minutes and then spitting the oil out. Sesame, coconut and sunflower oils are the most commonly used.

Does oil pulling whiten the teeth?

People who support the use of oil pulling claim that the method can whiten the teeth; swilling the oil around the mouth is also said to reduce inflammation and decrease the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth, as well as lightening the shade of the teeth. The movement of swishing the oil around stimulates the production of bacteria, causing toxins and poisons to be absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth. The oil pulling process destroys bacteria and prevents the build-up of plaque, which can lead to tooth staining.

There is a great deal of debate over the efficacy of oil pulling, as with many natural remedies; some people claim that their teeth look much whiter after swilling with oil, while others claim that they notice no difference after oil pulling for a period of time.

There are claims that oil pulling can help with a number of dental and general health problems, including toothache, gum soreness and inflammation, bad breath, bleeding gums, migraines, bronchitis, insomnia, eczema, asthma, arthritic pain and ulcers in the stomach.

There is a great deal of debate over the efficacy of oil pulling, as with many natural remedies; some people claim that their teeth look much whiter after swilling with oil, while others claim that they notice no difference after oil pulling for a period of time.

Oil pulling has been shown to decrease the number of harmful bacteria, including streptococcus mutans, in the mouth and this may help to prevent staining caused by plaque, but the oil does not contain a whitening agent and therefore there must be limits as to the aesthetic results you can expect to achieve.

Other whitening options

There are many other whitening options, including whitening toothpaste, at-home treatments and professional whitening systems, which are offered by dentists. Studies have cast doubts over the efficacy of whitening toothpaste, but professional whitening systems can be very effective, although the results do not last forever. Whitening treatment is generally considered by dentists to be very safe and effective, provided that the treatment is administered by a trained dental professional.

Is it worth trying oil pulling then?

This is a difficult question to answer! If you read up on oil pulling, you will see that opinion is split and there are people who praise it and those that say it’s a complete waste of time. If you’re looking for a sure-fire means of whitening your teeth, you are probably better off investing in a professional dental session. It is also worth noting that there is not a huge amount of research out there to back up the efficacy of oil pulling and it based on ancient Indian folklore, rather than being a method promoted by people who have training and qualifications in medicine and dentistry. It’s also not the most enticing prospect to have to swill oil in your mouth for 15 minutes before you brush your teeth.

– James Dunphy writes on the topics of dental and psychological care. He currently is working with a Manchester based cosmetic dentist educating readers on tooth whitening as part of a full smile makeover.

From Your Health Journal…..A short, yet important article I found recently on one of my favorite sites to promote called Health News Digest entitled Preventing Childhood Tooth Decay is as Easy as 2 Minutes, Twice a Day. Oral care in children is a hot topic, as so many children neglect to take care of their mouths properly. Dental decay is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, with greater than 16 million children suffering from untreated tooth decay in the United States. The mouth is the highway to overall health, and an unhealthy mouth can be associated with obesity, diabetes and even heart disease. In the U.S., oral disease causes kids to miss 51 million school hours and their parents to lose 25 million work hours annually. I encourage all of you to visit the Health News Digest web site (link provided below) to read the complete article. It is very informative and well written. While there, browse through many of their quality, educational articles.”

From the article…..

Here’s health news you can sink your teeth into: Dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, with more than 16 million kids suffering from untreated tooth decay in the U.S. The mouth is the gateway to overall health, and an unhealthy mouth can be associated with obesity, diabetes and even heart disease. In the U.S., oral disease causes kids to miss 51 million school hours and their parents to lose 25 million work hours annually.

Nevertheless, a survey by the Ad Council found less than half of American parents report that their children brush their teeth twice a day or more.

A Solution

To remedy that, The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives was formed. It’s a coalition of more than 35 leading dental health organizations and, with the Ad Council, they created the Kids’ Healthy Mouths campaign to teach parents, caregivers and children about the importance of oral health and simple ways to prevent oral disease.

Created pro bono by ad agencies Grey Group and Wing in New York, the campaign stresses the importance of brushing for 2 minutes, twice a day.

“The messages in this campaign may seem simple but their impact will be felt for years to come,” said Gary Price, Secretary and CEO of the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation. “Most mouth disease is preventable using steps that can easily become a part of every child’s life routine.”